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Blumenthal mourns as chefs die in crash

Wed, Nov 21, 2012, 00:00

Two chefs from Heston Blumenthal’s Michelin-starred restaurant The Fat Duck who died in a road incident in Hong Kong were named today.

Briton Jorge Ivan Arango Herrera - known as Jorge (34), and Carl Magnus Lindgren - known as Magnus (30), from Sweden, were killed in the incident involving their taxi and two double decker buses, the restaurant in Bray, Berkshire, confirmed.

A restaurant spokeswoman said the men were in Hong Kong for a private event and not to open a new restaurant.

Yesterday the restaurant said in a statement: “We can confirm that two members of Heston Blumenthal’s culinary team were tragically killed in a car accident in Hong Kong.

“They were both senior members and great and dear friends - two uniquely talented young chefs that were loved by everyone who worked with them. They will be sadly and deeply missed.”

A Hong Kong Police Force spokesman confirmed three men died in the incident and 56 people were injured, with the casualties ranging in age from seven months to 90 years.

He said the first bus hit two private cars at the junction of Chai Wan Road and A Kung Ngam Road before crossing into the oncoming carriageway.

He said: “It then rammed into a taxi and a bus which were travelling uphill. The taxi was trapped between the two buses.

“After the impact, the 53-year-old taxi driver and two foreign male passengers of the taxi, aged 30 and 34, were trapped inside the compartment and were rescued by firemen.

“Sustaining serious injuries, they were rushed to Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in unconscious state, where they were later certified dead.”

The spokesman added: “The 57-year-old bus driver was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and was released on police bail.”

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said: “We can confirm the death of a British national who was involved in a road traffic accident in Hong Kong on November 19th.

“We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time.”

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